A missed overnight charge is usually two timers. The car thought it should wait, the charger thought it should wait, and the cheap window closed before either of them started. UK smart chargers also add a randomised delay so street loads do not jump together. If your off-peak window is short, a late delay can push you out of the cheap period or past the moment you unplug. Pick one brain: either the car or the charger or the energy supplier.
Handover when missed overnight EV charge schedules is the issue
Write down the single schedule you intend to use and delete the others.
Missed overnight EV charge schedules
Read the session log before you change hardware. It often shows a delayed start and a user stop.
- Use one scheduler
- Allow for the random delay
- Read the log
- A short cheap window needs an earlier start
What a survey must prove about missed overnight EV charge schedules
Set the schedule to begin inside the window with enough hours for the miles you need, not to begin five minutes before you leave.
Missed overnight EV charge schedules and the written scope
Fixing the logic is free. A bigger charger does not cure a timer.
The expensive shortcut on missed overnight EV charge schedules
The mistake is a departure timer in the car set to 'ready at 7' with a charge limit of 20 miles, then blaming the wallbox.
Frequently asked questions
Why did it start at 2am?
A random delay or a supplier-controlled tariff may have chosen that slot. Check whether the energy was still cheap.
Can I turn the delay off?
Not always. The regulations expect it on relevant smart chargers, with a way to override for immediate charging. Use the override when you must leave.
The car was at 100 per cent already.
Then nothing was missed. The app can still look like a failure if you expected a session.
It happens on Sundays.
Some tariffs change at weekends. Read yours.
Core buying guides
Start with these high-intent guides, then dig into the rest of the library.
Related guides
Sources and further reading
How this guide was prepared
This guide was written by the Local EV Installers Editorial Team. We compare official guidance, legislation and established consumer information, separate general information from project-specific advice, and show publication dates and sources. We do not accept installer accreditation claims at face value.